Presented by Kent Estes
Parents you need to train your children in child safety, and you need to know what to do in case a Stranger approaches them. I have taught hundreds of children on how to protect themselves from danger. We learn by doing, this is why parents need to go over these 3 simple rules that will protect their kids. You do not want this to happen to your child.
Rule #1
Rule #1, your feet, which means run away, when there is danger a child should run away. Running away is a child’s best defense against danger. Teach your children to think of their feet, it will be easy for them to remember because they will always have their feet with them. Hollywood makes it look like children can beat up an adult but in reality an adult will always win. The key here is to run away from danger and this keeps you safe.
Rule #2, your hands , which means keep distance from strangers. Teach your children when they are away from you they need to keep distance away from strangers. A person may look OK on the outside but he is sick on the inside. We never know who is sick and who is OK. We need to keep away from strangers to be safe. Hold your hands up and this is how you remember rule #2, you do not want anyone to get close enough to grab you, if someone tries to get close to you, go back to rule #1 and run away.
Rule #3, your mouth, which means no talking. People who kidnap children try to trick them. They ask kids to help them look for a dog or a cat or things like this. The best thing you can do is, not to talk to strangers or anyone else when you are away from your parents. You remember rule #3 because you will always have your mouth with you. Kids this is the time when it is OK to be rude to other adults. We do not want you talking to strangers. If a stranger tries to talk to you, say, "go ask an adult"? or "I do not know I am only a kid". The least you say the better. Then remember rule #2 keep away by holding up your hands and rule #1 run away if there is danger near. Parents need to teach their children where to run to if there is danger. Run to your house, a trusted neighbors house, a relatives house, a Police Station or Fire Station or somewhere you want your children to run to, if there is danger near.To learn more about Kent visit his full profile on Squidoo at http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Retired-Cop and learn how you can receive a free Child Safety Kit at http://www.squidoo.com/pollyklaas..yourchildsafetykits/
What are the top stranger-danger rules to teach my child?
Table of Contents
A retired law-enforcement officer boils it down to three simple rules kids can always remember because they map to their own body. Rule #1 is their feet — run away from danger. Rule #2 is their hands — keep distance from strangers. Rule #3 is their mouth — don’t talk to strangers when they’re away from you. Simple, physical, and easy for a child to recall under pressure.
What should a child do if a stranger approaches them?
First, keep distance — holding their hands up is a good reminder not to let anyone get close enough to grab them. If someone tries to come closer or there’s any danger, run. Teach kids that running away is their single best defense, because in real life a child can’t out-fight a grown adult, no matter what the movies show.
Is it okay for my child to be “rude” to a stranger?
Yes — and it’s worth saying out loud to your kids. When they’re away from you, it’s perfectly okay not to talk to strangers, even if it feels impolite. Predators often trick children by asking for “help” finding a lost pet or something similar. Teach your child simple exits like “go ask an adult” or “I don’t know, I’m only a kid,” and remind them the less they say, the better.
Where should I tell my child to run if they feel unsafe?
Decide on safe destinations ahead of time so it’s automatic. That might be home, a trusted neighbor’s house, a relative’s, or a police or fire station. The key is that your child already knows exactly where to go before they ever need it.
It’s horrible these are things we need to teach our kids, but so important! Rule three is especially important – kids are so trusting, it would be so easy to take advantage of that trust. Thanks for the information!
Agree with Emma totally, I’ve already taught my 2 boys this and have made plans with neighbours (lovely retired parents) for just such eventualities. When we send them out to play in the local park or with friends we have also given them panic buttons. When pressed they emit a 130 Db screech, loud enough to make anyone look out of their window or car and certainly loud enough to deter any would be molester.
It will never be needed I’m sure as we are lucky to live in a country (Hungary) where crime against children is largely unthinkable but it does give me peace of mind.